Quote:
Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef
This is a simple case of the law of supply and demand. None of the officials is required to take any particular assignment -- assuming all are independent contractors as opposed to employees.
Therefore, the BoR can set the fee they will pay at anything they like. It doesn't mean that ANYONE has to take those games! If $80 is not reasonable, then officials can pass on the HS games and do something else. On the other hand, so long as officials are accepting the games, $80 is the going rate.
It takes two to create a contract.
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Have you ever heard of a "unilateral contract"? A unilateral contract is where one party has all the power. They are illegal in insurance and some other industries.
TSSAA requires referees belong to a local association, require the schools to use an association to supply referees, assign +/or approve the schools serviced by each association. TSSAA appoints the assigning officer and supervisor of each association.
Any referee who turns down a game that was assigned on an unblocked date in our association has 3 other assignments removed. So no, short of not refereeing High School at all there is no "two parties to a contract" freedom in TN.
In the past a significant portion of an association attempted to start a new association to advocate for better pay and mileage compensation. TSSAA simply refused to sanction their elected assignor and supervisor and reminded the schools that if they used referees from an unsanctioned association that they would have to forfeit their games.
Would I rather get paid $80 and get some exercise and enjoy being around the game? Yes I would. Is there any sibilance of "independent contract" or free market principle in the "unilateral" nature of TSSAA policies? NO.